Our deepest convictions affect every decision we make as a church. While the Bible alone is our formal document of faith, the following statements should help you understand those biblical ideas that most fundamentally define who we are:

God

God is the creator and sovereign ruler of the universe and all that is in it. Genesis 1:1, 26, 27

He has eternally existed in three distinct personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three co-exist as the one and only God. Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 4:4-6

Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came to earth to save us from our sins. Matthew 1:21; Luke 19:10; John 3:16

He lived a sinless life, even though He was tempted in every way, and willingly offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all men and women by dying on a cross. Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 4:14, 15

He demonstrated His power over sin and death by rising from the dead after three days. 1 Corinthians 15:3,4

The Holy Spirit lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. Acts 2:38; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 1:13,14

The Holy Spirit, in conjunction with the Bible He inspired, provides the Christian with understanding of spiritual truth and guidance in doing what is right. Romans 8:26,27; 1 Corinthians 2:12; Galatians 5:22-26

Human Beings

Men and women are made in the spiritual image of God. Genesis 1:27

When God created us, He gave us the ability to choose. Unfortunately, we often use our freedom to disobey God, which is sin. This sin separates us from God, placing us in need of a savior – Jesus Christ. Isaiah 53:6; 59:1,2; Romans 3:23

We can live forever with God in Heaven, a place of ultimate joy, by doing His will; or, be eternally separated from God in Hell, a place of extreme torment, by refusing to obey Him. Matthew 7:21; 1 John 5:11-13; Revelation 20:15

Salvation

Salvation is a free gift of God. It cannot be achieved through good works or self-improvement because the death of Jesus Christ on the cross is the only sufficient payment for our sins. John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8,9; Hebrews 9:26-28

All people have sinned, but all people can be saved. Acts 2:39; Romans 3:23

Salvation from sin is available to all who obey the teachings of Jesus Christ. Matthew 19:17; 28:19,20; Luke 11:28; John 14:23

The teachings of Jesus about salvation include:

believing in Christ’s power to save (Acts 16:31-33; Galatians 3:2)

confessing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Romans 10:9)

repenting of one’s sins (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30)

participating in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ through baptism (Romans 6:3,4)

The Bible’s principles are true for all people, for all places, and for all times. Psalm 119:160

The Church

Jesus Christ established His church for the purpose of spreading His message of hope through word and deed and encouraging Christians to persevere in their faith. Matthew 16:18; 28:19,20; Ephesians 4:1-16; 5:23; Colossians 1:18,24

God adds us to the church at baptism. Acts 2:41,47

Every member is a minister and every Christian is encouraged to find a place of service in the local congregation. Romans 12:3-8; 1 Peter 2:9

Each congregation of Christ’s church is designed to be self-governing and ministered to by elders, also called shepherds or overseers, who are men that encourage the spiritual growth of each member and guard the church from teachings that are contrary to the Bible. 1 Timothy 3:1-7, 8-13; 5:17; 1 Peter 5:1-4